Los Angeles daily herald., 1887-07-13

L tshNk ihoiNotCo LID NCA, ,
powerful influence will be used t.
further the location Of the Home il
this part of the State, provided a suit
able site is offered.
HEADQUARTERS
DEPARTMENT OF ARIZONA.
Los ANGELES, CAL. July Sth, 1887.
General w. r. Franklin, President
Manager Soldiers Home for Dis
abled Volunteers, Hartford, Conn
| DEAR GENERAL: Having learned
that proposition has been made by
the citizens of Los Angeles to you
Board of Managers to secure the loca
ton in their vicinity of the new
Soldiers Home provided for by Con
gress at its last session, / feel con
strained in the interest of those
worthy veterans whom it is intended
to benefit to say word in favor o.
the selection of some place in this
vicinity as best suitedfor that purpose
There is perhaps no place in the
world where the climate is more
equable, mild and delightful than
Southern California.
Not relying upon my own personal
observation and experience in the
matter, have directed Colonel Alex
ander, medical director of this military
department, to make investigation
and report with regard to the climate,
hygiene and mortality of this region,
and the following is his report, which
is respectfully submitted.
As you will doubtless visit this sec
ton of the country, hope to have the
pleasure of again meeting you and the
honorable gentlemen associated with
you. l remain, with great respect,
(Signed), NELSON A. MILES,
Brigadier General U. S. A.. Com
manding Department of Arizona.
California, Oregon, Nevada, with
the territories west of the Rocky mo un-
tains, furnished approximately 10000
soldiers for the Government service
during the great war, and since that
time tens of thousands of veterans
have wended their way to the western
slope in prospecting and developing
the great resources of this extensive
region of country. Many veterans who
have been seriously crippled in battle
and broken down in health, have
sought this Pacific cline with the hope
Of restoring their strength or prolong-
ing their uncertain lease of life. In
this mild climate and invigorating
atmosphere they have been benefited,
and l believe the same influences
would be highly beneficial to those
who would occupy the Home provided
by an appreciative Government. The
large number of veterans west of the
Rocky mountains would warrant the
Government in establishing two if not
three Homes for the war veterans, and
certainly no section Of the country is
better adapted by nature for such in
stitutions.
HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OFT
ARIZONA.
MEDICAL DIRECTORS OFFICE,
Los ANGELES, CAL, June "a, 1887
To the Commanding General, Depart
ment Of ArizOna:
In compliance with your request l
have the honor to submit the follow
ing report in regard to Los Angeles
as suitable location for a Soldiers
Home" AS l have been here but a
few months and have not had the op-
portunity Of investigating the subject
thoroughly give extracts from the
State Board of Health and the Health
Officer of the city.
Los Angeles, "a, g., 35, north lati-
tude 49,, 49,, 49,, west longitude,
seventeen miles inland; elevation $50
to 250 feet; open approach from the
ocean from the south and west; shelf
cred on the north by the foot hills of
the coast range and on the east by the
Sierra Madre mountains.
TOPOGRAPHY.
The territory in which this inquiry
is restricted embraces the counties OF
Santa Barbara, Los Angeles, San Ber-
nardino and San Diego. 1t comprises
an irregular outline extending about
from latitude 32. 80, to 35. 40, and from
longitude 81 to 43.4O.
Four of the five counties have a
wide exposure to the sea. TwO-thirds
of the coast line of Santa Barbara
county and about one-half of that of
Los Angeles county presents south
erly exposure.
The western part of this region is
traversed by low ranges of mountains
varying in altitude of from $500 to
5000 feet.
By far the most important part OF
Southern California is the western
slope of the coast range of mountains,
which from narrow strip in the
north xx-iIapo ~ n broad vla,,, -, Tho
south. Its area is materially increas-
ed also by the valleys of numerous
short rivers which traverse the mount
ain ranges and flow toward the ocean.
The region is possessed of wonderful
fertility, and is capable of supporting
a denser population than any other
part of California.
The condition Of the soil and climate
are such that it will produce almost
any crop that can be grown between
the latitudes Of Lake Manitoba and
Key West.
There are many varieties of soil to
be found in the southern counties of
California. These, in their bearing
upon the climate of the region, may be
classified with their retentativeness of
moisture.
The non-retentative soil includes the
red and blue clay, of which there is
but little, and the well known adobe.
HUMIDITY.
A knowledge of the total rainfall
of region gives but little insight into
its climatic condition; the distribution
Of the rainfall reveals much.
In Southern California the rainfall
occurs almost wholly during the win
ter months. A few scattering showers
occur in November and December;
then an occasional rain in April and
early in May.
The average rainfall of the southern
part of the State may be seen from the
following table. OF the five stations
mentioned Santa Barbara and San
Diego are on thn coast los ApoaIao